The global pandemic may have halted your travel plans for now, but instead of taking to the skies, why not embark on a time-honored tradition of a long weekend road trip this fall to see the beautiful fall colors of Missouri while enjoying some relaxing tastings at some local breweries and wineries along the way?

Day 1:

Gateway Arch National Park

Pack up your car and hit the road from St. Louis, a city with deep roots in history, is now a modern city with lots of things to explore and see. You can take advantage of the beautiful outdoor spaces, such as the Gateway Arch National Park or take a stroll at Tower Grove Park, a 280-acre wooded Victorian Park with quaint pavilions, lily ponds, and picnic areas.

Broadway Oyster Bar

Maybe you'd like to enjoy a great Cajun-Creole meal at Broadway Oyster Bar, on Broadway in St. Louis offers fresh oysters served 10 different ways, you just can’t go wrong with that. Still hungry for a sweet finish to the night? Gotta head to Ted Drewes, serving delicious frozen custard for over 80 years.With the sizable German immigrant population that found their way to St. Louis around the 1800s, the area is home to several breweries, and eventually became the home of the world’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch. If you haven’t yet, make the time to marvel the exquisite interiors of this brewery that’s been open since 1852 and features over 25 brands of beer. If you’re looking for something a little more laid back, check out PerennialArtisan Ales, a microbrewery that has gained a reputation for brewing bold, category defining Belgian-style ales.  Or Square One Brewer, where you'll find the brewmaster, head distiller, and chef all working together in a beautiful spot on Park Avenue in St. Louis.  If you're there over the weekend.  One word.. BRUNCH!

Day 2:

Pythian Castle

Travel across the legendary route 66 and spend your next day in Springfield, MO, the third largest city of Missouri. Known as the “Pulse of the Ozarks”, Springfield has a diverse culinary scene, and an explosion of microbreweries.  You can get your kicks on Route 66 along the historical Mother Road in Springfield and stop along the Laclede Country Route 66 Museum. Take a break at Lost Signal Brewing Company for lunch. If you’re a history buff, take a tour at Pythian Castle, built in 1913 by the Knights of Pythias and is a certified haunted castle (Really, it’s a thing). Finally, relax the evening away at Mother’s Brewing Company, a name earned through hard labor and love of craft beer and voted Best Microbrewery in Mid-Missouri.

Day 3:

Hurts Donut

Start you day early with a trip to Hurts Donut and pick up a half dozen of your favorites (like maple bacon or smores -yum) for your final leg of the road trip. Take a quick stop at Sedalia to see the Truman DamVisitor Center and head to the Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site to stretch your legs and go on a tour of the 31-room, 12,000 square foot lodge built atop two natural caves.

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site

Continue into Kansas City, known for its finger licking good BBQ, over 200 extravagant fountains (only to be beat by Rome, Italy) and unique jazz heritage. It’s also filled with distilleries, some of the best craft breweries in the country and art neighborhoods where you'll find everything from funky, to classic.  

Have lunch at Jack Stack Barbecue-Freight house, one of the best eateries downtown, across from Union Station. Or if you’re looking for something unique, stop at the nationally celebrated Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, a gas station restaurant, just be ready for a wait but it just might be one of the best dining experiences you will have.

Joe's Kansas City BBQ

Take advantage of the numerous museums in Kansas City, if you want to try and squeeze as much in as possible try zipping through the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and finally head next door to the American Jazz Museum for an interactive experience.

And when you're ready to indulge in the craft scene, Kansas City has it going on.  City Barrel Brewing Company promies wild, hoppy, and sour beers.  Yum!  Or Stockyards Brewing Company in the stockyards district offering everything from an Black IPA to an Irish Ale, to the smoked Imperial Pilsner.  For spirits, start with the J. Rieger Co., started in 1887.  Taste how good Kansas City whiskey really is.  Or head a bit north to Restless Spirits Distilling Company, and their award winning head distiller, and former chemistry teacher Benay Shannon

End your trip with a delicious and rewarding steak dinner at Jess and Jim’s Steak House or if you’re in the mood for something different, check out Kobi Q – a Korean BBQ restaurant and be sure to try the Korean Friend Chicken as an appetizer because you deserve it after all the sightseeing.